Rashida Jones; Quincy Jones. Photo: ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty; Tom Cooper/Getty
Rashida Jones is honoring her late father, Quincy Jones. On Sunday, November 17, the 48-year-old actress shared her memories while accepting the honorary Lifetime Achievement Oscar on behalf of the legendary music producer at the 15th Governor Awards, surrounded by her family. She revealed that her father had prepared a speech and had “intended” to be present at the ceremony before his passing on November 3. “Our father passed away two weeks ago today.
He was really looking forward to being here tonight, and many of his family members are present,” Rashida began, joined onstage by her siblings Martina, Quincy III, and Kenya. “He had so many friends in this room, likely in every room … because he formed genuine connections wherever he went. He truly, truly wanted to be here with us tonight. And I want you to know that he is here, very much so.”
Rashida then shared that her father “had been preparing his speech” prior to his death and began to convey it “in his own words” to the audience. In the speech, Quincy expressed his “honor” in accepting the award and reminisced about his teenage years in Seattle, where he would spend hours dreaming about composing for films. He reflected on significant moments in his career, mentioning collaborations with artists like Sydney Pollack, Richard Brooks, and “my friend Steven Spielberg.”
“‘When I was a young film composer, you didn’t even see faces of color working in the studio commissaries. I’m so, so proud that my name and contributions can be part of that evolution,’” Rashida recited from her father’s speech. “‘I share this award and tonight’s honor with all the incredible directors, legendary actors, and, of course, exceptional songwriters, composers, and musicians with whom I’ve formed cherished friendships over my seven decades in this industry, and I wouldn’t trade this night or those experiences for anything in the world.’ And that’s where his speech concludes,” she said.
Rashida mentioned that although “it was a tough decision for our family to be here tonight,” they wanted to “celebrate his wonderful life and career.” She encouraged the audience to listen to her father’s music in his memory on their way home. “Listen to how he infused love into every single moment of music he created. That was his true legacy, love. He cherished life and often said, ‘Live every day as if it’s your last, and one day you’ll be right.’ And you did, Dad. You did. You lived the most vibrant, beautiful life of love every single day you were here,” Rashida concluded.
The Jones family’s attendance at the Governor Awards marks their first public appearance since Quincy’s death at age 91 at his Los Angeles home on November 3. The iconic music producer passed away from pancreatic cancer, as noted in a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE. A private funeral was held for Quincy, attended by his seven children and close family and friends in Los Angeles a week after his passing, according to the Associated Press. A larger public ceremony is being planned, as reported by the outlet.
